Camouflage material

Credit: J. Rogers, University of Illinois

Engineers from the University of Houston and University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign made a flexible camouflage system from heat-sensitive dye and light sensors that can automatically match its surroundings.

Suction cups

Credit: Doug Lafon, U.S. Army Research Laboratory

These self-sealing suction cups designed by U.S. Army researchers for grasping robots are strong enough to hold up a wine bottle.

Suction cups

Credit: Doug Lafon, U.S. Army Research Laboratory

Researchers tested four fingertip-size prototype suction cups made from a type of polymer that solidifies under UV light.

Resilient soft robot

Credit: Michael Tolley and Rob Shepherd

Harvard University scientists started with a soft color-changing robot two years ago and have made a new untethered version that can withstand fire, water, and being run over by a car.

Swimming bot

Credit: Foundation for Research and Technology, Hellas

Scientists from the Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas in Greece tested an eight-arm underwater robot that mimics octopus movements. The bot could help make transporting heavy loads underwater more efficient.

Soft sensing

Credit: Kohei Nakajima

Researchers at the University of Zurich, in Switzerland, are calculating the dynamics of a sensor-laden arm made from silicone in an effort to make soft interfaces for robots more intelligent.

Wearable robotic arms

Credit: MIT d’Arbeloff Laboratory

A team from MIT’s d’Arbeloff Laboratory is making prototypes for extra body-mounted robotic limbs that could one day help workers perform repetitive, difficult tasks.

Wearable robotic arms

Credit: MIT d’Arbeloff Laboratory

The robotic limbs can be mounted either on the shoulders or at the waist, the researchers said.

Marine operations

Credit: PoseiDRONE

The PoseiDRONE project is developing an octopus-type robot made from up to 90 percent soft materials for undertaking risky underwater jobs.

Soft endoscope

Credit: STIFF-FLOP

The European STIFF-FLOP project is working on a soft, flexible endoscope inspired by octopus arms and elephant trunks that could be used for minimally invasive surgery.

Camouflage material

Credit: J. Rogers, University of Illinois

Engineers from the University of Houston and University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign made a flexible camouflage system from heat-sensitive dye and light sensors that can automatically match its surroundings.

Suction cups

Credit: Doug Lafon, U.S. Army Research Laboratory

These self-sealing suction cups designed by U.S. Army researchers for grasping robots are strong enough to hold up a wine bottle.

Suction cups

Credit: Doug Lafon, U.S. Army Research Laboratory

Researchers tested four fingertip-size prototype suction cups made from a type of polymer that solidifies under UV light.

Resilient soft robot

Credit: Michael Tolley and Rob Shepherd

Harvard University scientists started with a soft color-changing robot two years ago and have made a new untethered version that can withstand fire, water, and being run over by a car.

Swimming bot

Credit: Foundation for Research and Technology, Hellas

Scientists from the Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas in Greece tested an eight-arm underwater robot that mimics octopus movements. The bot could help make transporting heavy loads underwater more efficient.

Soft sensing

Credit: Kohei Nakajima

Researchers at the University of Zurich, in Switzerland, are calculating the dynamics of a sensor-laden arm made from silicone in an effort to make soft interfaces for robots more intelligent.

Wearable robotic arms

Credit: MIT d’Arbeloff Laboratory

A team from MIT’s d’Arbeloff Laboratory is making prototypes for extra body-mounted robotic limbs that could one day help workers perform repetitive, difficult tasks.

Wearable robotic arms

Credit: MIT d’Arbeloff Laboratory

The robotic limbs can be mounted either on the shoulders or at the waist, the researchers said.

Marine operations

Credit: PoseiDRONE

The PoseiDRONE project is developing an octopus-type robot made from up to 90 percent soft materials for undertaking risky underwater jobs.

Soft endoscope

Credit: STIFF-FLOP

The European STIFF-FLOP project is working on a soft, flexible endoscope inspired by octopus arms and elephant trunks that could be used for minimally invasive surgery.